Image forming apparatus for predicting usage of consumables and control method for image forming apparatus

Abstract

An image forming apparatus on which a replaceable container storing a recording material is mounted includes an image forming unit configured to form an image using the recording material, a determination unit configured to determine whether the container satisfies a predetermined condition, an acquisition unit configured to acquire an amount of the recording material used for image formation in a predetermined period and stored in the container determined as a container that satisfies the predetermined condition, a memory configured to accumulate information indicating the amount of the recording material acquired by the acquisition unit, and a prediction unit configured to predict a number of days about replacement of the container, based on the information indicating the amount of the recording material and accumulated in the memory.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An image forming apparatus to which a container containing a recording material to be used for forming an image on a recording medium is attached, the image forming apparatus comprising a controller configured to:
 acquire a period based on information regarding an amount of the recording material supplied from a container that was attached to the image forming apparatus and that has been detached from the image forming apparatus; and 
 cause a display to display the acquired period as a remaining period of another container attached to the image forming apparatus. 
 
     
     
       2. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the information is information based on a total amount of an amount of the recording material supplied from the container and an amount of the recording material supplied from said another container. 
     
     
       3. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the information is information based on a total period of a period in which the container has been attached to the image forming apparatus and a period in which said another container is attached to the image forming apparatus. 
     
     
       4. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the remaining period of said another container is specified based on an amount of the recording material contained in said attached container and the information. 
     
     
       5. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the information indicates a usage amount of the recording material per day. 
     
     
       6. A control method for controlling an image forming apparatus to which a container containing a recording material to be used for forming an image on a recording medium is attached, the control method comprising:
 acquiring a period based on information regarding an amount of the recording material supplied from a container that was attached to the image forming apparatus and that has been detached from the image forming apparatus; and 
 causing a display to display the acquired period as a remaining period of another container attached to the image forming apparatus. 
 
     
     
       7. The control method according to  claim 6 , wherein the information is information based on a total amount of an amount of the recording material supplied from the container and an amount of the recording material supplied from said another container. 
     
     
       8. The control method according to  claim 7 , wherein the information is information based on a total period of a period in which the container has been attached to the image forming apparatus and a period in which said another container is attached to the image forming apparatus. 
     
     
       9. The control method according to  claim 6 , wherein the information indicates a usage amount of the recording material per day. 
     
     
       10. The control method according to  claim 6 , wherein the remaining period of said another container is specified based on an amount of the recording material contained in said another container and the information. 
     
     
       11. A non-transitory computer readable media storing instructions that, when executed by an image forming apparatus to which a container containing a recording material to be used for forming an image on a recording medium is attached, cause the image forming apparatus to perform a method comprising:
 acquiring a period based on information regarding an amount of the recording material supplied from a container that was attached and that has been detached from the image forming apparatus; and 
 causing a display to display the acquired period as a remaining period of another container attached to the image forming apparatus. 
 
     
     
       12. The non-transitory computer readable media according to  claim 11 , wherein the information is information based on a total amount of an amount of the recording material supplied from the container and an amount of the recording material supplied from said another container. 
     
     
       13. The non-transitory computer readable media according to  claim 12 , wherein the information is information based on a total period of a period in which the container has been attached to the image forming apparatus and a period in which said another container is attached to the image forming apparatus. 
     
     
       14. The non-transitory computer readable media according to  claim 12 , wherein the remaining period of said another container is specified based on an amount of the recording material contained in said another container and the information.